For generations, a two-acre plot of land along the Mississippi–Tennessee state line served as both sanctuary and survival for Krystal Polk’s family. They raised chickens and pigs, harvested onions and herbs, and traded homegrown peaches for pears. But after what is reported to be decades of weathering racial hostility and hardship to keep the property in the family, an unrelenting industrial hum has finally forced them out, according to a report by CBS News. “We lived a very simplistic life,” Polk, 52, told CBS News.The history of the Southaven homestead was anything but simple. Polk explained that her ancestors acquired the land “before people of color were allowed to have land.” When her parents first moved onto the property decades ago, they found the letters “KKK” scrawled at the bottom of the hill. Through generations of systemic barriers and intimidation, the family held firm.Their way of life unraveled about a year ago with the sudden arrival of a noisy new neighbor directly across the street: a massive power plant installed to run Elon Musk’s nearby artificial intelligence data centers in the Memphis area. The facility’s constant noise drove the family away from their longtime home. Today, the property sits largely abandoned, overshadowed by the persistent mechanical drone.The site is part of a broader infrastructure buildout powering Elon Musk’s data operations, which has ignited fierce pushback from Southaven residents who argue the high-output generators have brought unmanageable noise and air pollution into their residential community.
Here’s the petition by the resident-run Safe and Sound Coalition calling to shut down the power plant
We’re a Mississippi grassroots coalition-turned non-profit raising concerns about xAI. xAI’s Southaven power plant, which borders both Horn Lake and Memphis and is intended to provide energy for their data center(s), is surrounded by our homes, churches, parks, and schools.This project has raised serious concerns about transparency and regulatory accountability, and whether the public is truly being heard in decisions that directly affect our health, environment, and quality of life.We have worked to increase transparency— providing accessible information and ensuring our neighbors are not left in the dark as this project continues to move forward at an alarming pace. We are advocating for our communities’ rights to clean air, quiet nights, responsible growth, and honest leadership.If you’re frustrated, concerned, or just want to understand what’s really going on— you’re not alone. We believe our communities deserve better. Join us to take action, stay informed, and protect our communities.
